Tutorial: Folding Fabric
Several people have asked about the techniques we used when cleaning out my mom’s fabric stash last week. There are of course many ways to purge, sort, and organize fabric, which I’ll write about later. But first, I wanted to address questions about the folding station and the folding method we used.
It’s the same method I’ve been using as I’ve been sorting and organizing fabric in my own apartment. Here you see an in-progress picture of my new studio corner with stacks of uniformly-folded fabric. This is a method I first read about from Monica, the Happy Zombie and later from Marilyn Bohn’s video.
Of course there are other ways, but this is the cheap, easy, quick one that works for me. The goal is to end up with a stack of fabric that is uniformly folded — the same length and width.
The height of each folded piece varies according to how much yardage you have to begin with.
To accomplish this, you’ll need a stack of fabric (45″ wide works best, though other widths can be accommodated), a flat surface, and a large quilter’s ruler. My mom had three 6.5″-wide rulers, so we defaulted to using those for her project. However, the cubbies on my shelf are 13″ wide. In order to comfortably fit 2 stacks of fabric side-to-side, I needed to use a slightly smaller ruler. Mine is 6″ wide and 24″ long.
I don’t currently have any fabric that hasn’t been folded by this method, so I had to un-fold a piece to show you how it’s done. Pardon the creases!
First, ensure that the fabric is folded in half lengthwise (selvedge-to-selvedge) with the wrong sides together. Many fabrics (including most quilter’s cotton) are approximately 45″ wide, which leaves you with a span of fabric around 22″ after it’s folded in half. For my ruler of 24″, this is just perfect. It leaves a little bit of ruler poking out on either end.
Begin “wrapping” the fabric around the ruler, starting with the raw edge nearest to you. It’s almost like you’re making a small “bolt” of fabric with the quilter’s ruler where the cardboard core would be.
Continue wrapping (flipping the ruler away from you) until you reach the other raw edge of the fabric. At this point, you have two options.
If the remaining edge is wide enough, you can just fold it over. However, if that edge piece is too small and won’t lie flat, there is another option.
If the last wrapped edge is too small to lie flat, unfold the bolt of fabric and tuck the edge under. Then, flip the bolt on top of the fold and it will seal the edge up into the wraps of fabric.
Pull the ruler out from the center of the fabric. Make sure that it lies flat and the raw edge doesn’t pop out.
Fold the fabric in half cross-wise. (Hamburger fold, not hotdog.)
Place your folded fabric on the shelf with the folded edge facing you. that way, you can see at a glance what colors of fabric you’ve got.
You can see that the finished piece is a little larger than 6″ wide, and about 11″ long. This will vary depending on your ruler, so make sure you understand your shelves or storage spaces before you have to unfold your whole collection!
A lot of people store their fat quarters separate from the rest of their fabric collection. My mom wanted hers kept separate, so we did what Monica Zombie suggested and folded the fat quarters in the same way but with a smaller ruler. I prefer to keep my fabric all together, since I’m generally hunting for fabric of a certain color, rather than of a certain size.
A fat quarter is generally around 18″ x 22″. Using my 6″ ruler allows me to make a tidy little bolt and store all of my fabric in one place.
Fold one edge in…
Then the other.
Just as before, remove the ruler and fold in half.
Voila! If you’re starting with 60″ fabric, vintage sheets, or other odd-sized pieces, the procedure is the same. All you have to do is fold it lengthwise (hotdog, not hamburger) to approximately 20-24″ wide before you begin wrapping. For a 60″ piece, I generally just fold it in thirds lengthwise and it pretty much evens out in the end.
Be aware that extra yardage (3+ yards) will yield pieces that are noticeably wider due to the sheer bulk of fabric as you wrap around and around. You may need to take this into account as you plan out the size of your storage system.
A final thought: This sytem really only works if you are dedicated to maintainence. I’ll post later about my system for re-folding pieces after I have used them. However, I find that the investment of time really pays off.
This method is becoming increasingly popular, but hopefully my tutorial will add something to the conversation. Let me know if you try it out!
No related posts.
I love how it all looks on the shelves! I’ve keep all my stuff in bins by color, because of lack of storage area… and serious black NYC dust… I like your shelves, are they expedits? ikea? I’m thinking this system would help from OVER BUYING too! since you can see everything you have…
thanks for the great tutorial
Comment by V — 9 July 2009 @ 6:11 pm
Very helpful tutorial. Now, if you could just teach me to fold my clothes!
Comment by Amy — 10 July 2009 @ 4:31 am
Hamburgers and hotdogs
must remember that: “it’s in the hotdog file” :} me, meh, sometimes i fold, sometimes i wad, sometimes i fling…
Comment by arlee — 10 July 2009 @ 12:09 pm
What a beautifully organized fabric corner! I love it! Thanks for the inspiring post. I don’t quilt, but I do tat and BOY do I EVER have a colorful thread stash, LOL! I’d love to find a colorful way to organize them like that!
Comment by TattingChic — 11 July 2009 @ 8:32 am
I found you today while looking at some photos on flickr. I just had to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog today. I came here because of your hexagons but think I may have been led here to read the posts on your mother and your grandmother. You are very talented.
Comment by Danetta — 11 July 2009 @ 11:55 am
Thanks for this tutorial (I found you via Sew, Mama, Sew). I fold my fabric in a way very similar to this but have never thought of using a ruler to make each pile fit perfectly. I find tidy piles of colour so inspiring but sometimes it’s difficult to keep them neat. Now I’ve got a secret weapon.
Comment by peanut — 12 July 2009 @ 5:53 pm
Thankyou for this. I needed shown that. Will be applying it RIGHT NOW. I think there is nothing more soothing than folding fabric and making it look pretty on a shelf. Yes I am sad…
Comment by Mu Mu Design — 14 July 2009 @ 7:37 am
I also saw this at Happy Zombie but what I’ll pick up from this tutorial is Hamburger/HotDog….. So much easier to explain to people than “Lengthwise….No, LENGTHWISE. So it’s longer…ahk, I’ll do it in a minute.” Wonderful!!
Comment by Carly — 14 July 2009 @ 9:41 am
Yup – I love this method, I have been using it a while. I do like to keep my sizes seperate so that I know at a glance how much I have. I also posted a tutorial on this!
Isn’t organize of our favorite supplies half the fun?!
I love it when my studio looks like a ’store’.
Keep up the great work.
Comment by Allison — 16 July 2009 @ 9:14 am
This is the coolest thing ever! I love that. I will be sure to retweet!
Comment by Renaissance Austin — 17 July 2009 @ 4:02 pm
I improvised on your method. My shelves are only 10 inches deep so I used an 8 inch square! I love the way it turned out.
I had to link to your page in my blog about my folding adventures!
Comment by carrie — 22 July 2009 @ 10:41 am
[...] Turning*Turning [...]
Pingback by Tipnut’s Hit List – July 2009 – Popular Tips : TipNut.com — 8 August 2009 @ 5:40 am
[...] Here is anothter way i found from turning and turning [...]
Pingback by Various ways to fold fabric « Sew Chic and Unique — 5 September 2009 @ 11:56 pm
[...] Luverlie from Sew Many Pieces group blog found a fabulous how-to on folding fabric for storage at turningturning blog. Get the tutorial. [...]
Pingback by Tutorial: Folding fabric · Quilting @ CraftGossip — 14 February 2010 @ 10:29 am
I love this technique for folding fabric so much I linked to it from here: http://quilting.craftgossip.com/tutorial-folding-fabric/2010/02/14/
Great job on the instructions! I’d be ashamed if anyone saw my fabric stash, so I cannot wait to try it.
Warmest regards,
Scarlett Burroughs
Quilting Editor, Craft Gossip
Comment by Scarlett Burroughs — 14 February 2010 @ 10:34 am
Thank you so much for this! It’s such a huge help and an area I need so much help in!
Thanks so much!
Comment by Sarah Sarniak — 14 February 2010 @ 11:07 am
This is without a doubt the most helpful blog post ive ever read! i had just decided last night to organize my fabric and i found this just in time! Thank you so much!
Comment by Renee Candy Stick Lane — 14 February 2010 @ 4:39 pm
Last weekend I purchased a bunch of fat quarters from the quilt shop. They have all their cut fabric very nicely stacked and now I feel inspired to keep my fabric better organized.
Comment by Jennifer — 14 February 2010 @ 5:30 pm
Awesome tutorial! My fabrics are currently color coordinated in my bookcases; however, I never really had a good way to fold the fabrics so that they were uniform and looking neat. Now I Do!!! Thanks so much….can’t wait to get started!
Comment by Karen ~ lillybelle Custom Designs — 14 February 2010 @ 5:55 pm
I saw this today and immediately went to my craft room and got busy. Here are my results: http://lovegracemarie.blogspot.com/2010/02/organization-is-key.html
Comment by Valerie — 15 February 2010 @ 8:02 pm
ive use this method at the furniture manufacturing company that i work for Fabric . it really helps whith the little pieces of off cuts we end up with!!
Comment by robert — 2 March 2010 @ 8:50 pm
LOVE IT! I have been looking at purchasing special forms but it would be super expensive. You just saved me a BOATLOAD of $$. Since my shelves are only 13 1/4″ wide, I took the cardboard insert from an old bolt of fabric and cut it down to 6″. Now, I can fit two stacks neatly across. It looks great! But it is scary, now, I have so much more room.
Comment by Heather — 24 August 2010 @ 7:21 pm